Biography
Son of Sir William Douglas (d. 1733), 2nd Bart of Kelhead, and Helen Erskine (d. 1754), a half-sister of Boswell's mother Euphemia. Brother of Charles and William Douglas. Married to Christian Cunningham (1710-1741), daughter of Sir William Cunningham of Caprington. Father of William Douglas, Catherine Douglas and about six other children.
Life with Boswell
Boswell visited John Douglas and his family at Kelhead on October 6 and 7, 1762. He wrote of Douglas that "by his princely improvements [of the estate] Sir John Douglas has burthened his estate with about £30,000. [...] a lively man, but hurried away by fanciful project."